Sylvia Kuritzky, 68, of Orefield, died peacefully Nov. 5, 2020, in the Inpatient Hospice Unit of Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, after a six-year battle with cancer.

The loving and beloved wife of Howard K. Kuritzky, the couple was married 38 years.

Born June 1, 1952, in Wilmington, Del., she was the daughter of the late Frank M. and Sylvia (Pizzini) Perna.

She was a graduate of Villanova University with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in nursing.

Proud of her 40-year career as a registered nurse, she worked in a variety of subspecialties within the field.

She began her career in 1974 as a staff nurse in Akron, Ohio, then became head nurse in the critical care unit at Christiana Hospital and the Medical Center of Delaware, where she worked for several years.

She also taught nursing as an instructor at Widener University in Chester, at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Ind., and at St. Francis University, Loretto.

She later worked as a school nurse in the Parkland School District.

Most recently, she worked at Cedarbrook Nursing Home, South Whitehall, for 14 years before retiring in 2014.

Her remarkable kindness, grace and generosity moved all who knew her.

In addition to her professional activities, she volunteered at Parkland Community Library, Cedarbrook Nursing Home, the Angel Shop, and Trexler Game Preserve.

She was an active parishioner of St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, Orefield, where she was a member of the Women’s Guild and volunteered for many church-sponsored activities, such as delivering Holy Communion to sick and elderly parishioners who were unable to travel to church for Mass.

Family and friends always looked forward to her home-cooked Italian meals.

She loved adventure with her family, traveling overseas to Europe to visit relatives in Italy, as well as her children where they worked and studied.

Closer to home, she enjoyed gardening, reading, yoga, puzzles and going to the symphony and theater.

Most recently, she relished the time she spent with her new grandson, Joshua, who brought her immense joy in her last months.

In addition to her loving husband, she is survived by her son Eugene A. Steger III of West Warwick, R.I.; daughters Melinda E. Kuritzky Esq. (Robert S. Barnett Esq.) of Geneva, Switzerland, Dana E. Kuritzky of Orefield, Dr. Leah Y. Kuritzky (Dr. Gregory M. Su) of Berkeley, Calif.; siblings Michael R. Perna Esq. (Loretta L. Perna) of Kennett Square, Algerina C. Perna of Baltimore, Md., Dr. Frank M. Perna (Courtney L. Perna) of Bethesda, Md.; grandson Joshua S. Barnett of Geneva; nieces Mia and Michaela Perna of Bethesda; and the extended Pizzini family in the U.S. and northern Italy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Nov. 12 at St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, 1879 Applewood Drive, Orefield. The Rev. Msgr. Joseph P.T. Smith will be the celebrant.

A private interment will take place at St. Malachi Catholic Church Cemetery, Cochranville, Chester County.

Expressions of sympathy may be made at heintzelmancares.com.

A live video zoom link of the Mass will be available by visiting the funeral home website and expanding her obituary.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cure HHT and/or to the American Cancer Society, both c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-0196.

Arrangements were made by Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., Schnecksville.